Self-adjusting wedge bumper

Abstract

A self-adjusting bumper comprising slidably adjustable upper and lower tapered nylon wedges for eliminating rattle space between objects and their containers. A tapered lower wedge comprises a dovetail guide rail and opposing guide pin rails; a tapered upper wedge comprises a corresponding dovetail guide path and opposing slots shaped for insertion and slidable adjustment of the guide pin rails. Opposing helical extension springs secured to the sides of the upper and lower wedges minimize friction forces between the wedges as they slidably move relative to one another. External surfaces of the wedges may be contoured to accommodate the shape of the object and / or its container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 904,248 filed Mar. 1, 2007, entitled “Self-Adjusting Wedge Bumper System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.GOVERNMENT RIGHTS CLAUSE[0002]The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of SPARTA Subcontract No. 05-1015 funded by the Raytheon Company and the Army NLOS-LS Project.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates generally to shock and vibration isolation systems to minimize rattle space, and more particularly to a self-adjusting wedge bumper apparatus and system for transport, storage, and / or operation / removal of objects within containers, including without limitation, missiles transported, stored and operated from the same container.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENT...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The Self-Adjusting Wedge Bumper is a spring loaded self-adjusting apparatus comprising slidably adjustable upper and lower tapered wedges. The apparatus provides minimal interface between an object and its container, is customizable to support and minimize rattle space between a variety of different-shaped objects and their containers, and minimizes the static and dynamic friction force upon removal of the object.

[0012]The lower wedge comprises a generally dovetail-shaped integral guide rail; the upper wedge comprises a generally dovetail-shaped guide path into which the guide rail is slidably mounted. In the preferred embodiment, the guide rail further comprises at least one internal guide pin extending from the top face of the lower wedge and the guide path comprises at least one corresponding slot defined in the bottom face of the upper wedge shaped for insertion and slidable adjustment of the guide pin. The guide pins and corresponding slotted guide paths permit movement of the wedges relative to each other until the internal pins contact the slot ends, thus providing a defined, maximum range of movement for the wedges.

[0013]The upper and lower wedges are tapered. When slidably mounted together and overlapping, the upper and lower wedges form a generally rectangular box-shaped bumper. Opposing extension springs, each attached by machine hook to the sides of the upper and lower wedges aid in overcoming the friction to move the upper and lower wedges relative to one another.

[0018]In an alternate embodiment, opposed dowel pins mounted to the upper surface of the lower wedge and externally to the upper wedge prevent the upper wedge from being dislocated from the lower wedge.

[0020]The wedge bumpers have the desirable quality of automatically adapting to changes in the rattle space between the object and its container that might result from changes in the radius of one or both of the elements. Such automatic adaptation would be highly beneficial to missile launch tubes used on aircraft, helicopters, ships and tanks. In addition, electronics boards that slide into guide paths would also benefit from a wedge bumper system to accommodate variations in the guide path and plate dimensions, provide low assembly and disassembly forces, but still provide an intimate interface for heat transfer from the board to a heat sink.

Problems solved by technology

For example, the missile will experience rattling and shaking during transport from its production point to a silo.

The missile and its container also experience environmental changes over time while the missile is in storage.

In addition, the missile and container will experience extreme environmental changes (primarily extreme heat) upon missile egress.

For example, over the life of the missile, a missile composite motor case may absorb moisture resulting in swelling of the motor case skin.

However, the shims are not capable of adjustment to accommodate changes in the radius of the container, and they are limited in their ability to counteract the movement of the container that is in opposite force to the stationary missile contained within.

In addition, if the shims are wedged in tightly in order to keep the missile from moving, the friction forces between the shims, the missile, and the container can adversely affect the missile performance due to friction forces upon egress.

Various forms of shims have been developed, yet they do not adequately address the dual requirements for reducing friction and minimizing vibration and movement.

The continuous ring of pads and struts counteract lateral missile movement, but are not self-adjusting and are in almost continual circumferential contact with the missile thereby causing friction upon egress.

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